TankBud

Redtail bagrid

Hemibagrus nemurus

Also known as Nemurus catfish, River catfish, Asian redtail bagrid

FreshwaterFish

Redtail bagrid (Hemibagrus nemurus)

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–81°F
22–27°C
pH
6.5–7.5
Adult size
25.6 in
65 cm
Minimum tank
185 gal
700 L
Temperament
Aggressive
Social behavior
Solitary
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Bottom
Diet
Carnivore
Difficulty
Difficult
Breeding
No record
Rarity
Rare
Family
Bagridae
Origin
Native to rivers of Southeast Asia, including the Mekong and the Sunda region.

Overview

The redtail bagrid is a big, predatory catfish from Southeast Asian rivers. It is for experienced keepers with room for a very large tank.

Did you know

The redtail bagrid is one of several Asian catfish sold as redtails, alongside the even larger Hemibagrus wyckioides. A small one in a shop is easy to mistake for a fish that grows to a very different size.

Caring for the redtail bagrid

The redtail bagrid needs a big tank of at least 185 gal (700 L), since it outgrows most community tanks. Give it a soft floor, large driftwood and solid caves. It likes a sturdy retreat to claim as its territory.

Keep the water clean, warm and flowing, at 72 to 81°F (22 to 27°C) and a pH of 6.5 to 7.5. It is a hardy, greedy feeder on meaty foods such as fish, prawns and earthworms. It takes sinking pellets readily.

The redtail bagrid is a large, aggressive predator that turns territorial, so in most cases keep it as a single fish. It will eat any tank mate it can swallow and may bully ones it cannot. Any companions must be large and robust.

Good to know

The redtail bagrid, also sold as the nemurus catfish or river catfish, is a robust bagrid with a broad head and long barbels. It has strong, locking pectoral spines, a large mouth and often a reddish tinge to the tail. It is an important food and aquaculture species across its range.

In the wild

The redtail bagrid lives in rivers and reservoirs across Southeast Asia, including the Mekong and the Sunda region. By day it shelters in wood and undercut banks, and at night it hunts fish and invertebrates.

Common questions

What size tank does a redtail bagrid need?

A redtail bagrid needs at least 185 gal (700 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.

What temperature and pH does a redtail bagrid need?

A redtail bagrid is comfortable at 72–81°F (22–27°C) with a pH of 6.5–7.5.

What does a redtail bagrid eat?

A redtail bagrid is a hardy, greedy eater of meaty foods such as fish, prawns and earthworms. It takes sinking pellets readily too.

How big does a redtail bagrid get?

An adult redtail bagrid reaches about 25.6 in (65 cm).

Related species